Mont Calabasas Annexation Could Earn Calabasas $90K

The city of Calabasas could collect more than $90,000 in property taxes from unincorporated Mont Calabasas if the neighboring community is annexed into the city.

The City Council approved a tax sharing agreement with LA County on Wednesday 5-0, halfway toward securing a 4.69 percent share of property taxes from the community of 110 homes.

The annexation process, which began more than two years ago, now shifts to the LA County Board of Supervisors, which will cast its vote on the agreement.

Mont Calabasas' Board of Directors was among the initiators of the effort, but a few of the community's residents have come forward and asked to the city to survey all Mont Calabasas homeowners on whether they want to be annexed.

"I think many of the homeowners are not sure if this is the right thing for them or have been able to express an opinion," said Michael Novak, a Mont Calabasas resident. "I'm asking for this item to be postponed so the city can poll the homeowners of Mont Calabasas."

But City Manager Tony Coroalles said that is not going to happen at this point in time.

Instead, Mont Calabasas homeowners wanting to voice an opinion must wait until the county's Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) considers the annexation, the step following the Board of Supervisors' approval of the tax sharing agreement, Coroalles said.

Councilwoman Mary Sue Maurer said postcards should be sent to all Mont Calabasas residents if an item regarding their community or annexation appears on an upcoming agenda.

Tom Bartlett, a planner with the city who has been working on the annexation, said he would oblige with the request.